I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 104 Something Big Has Happened

Leaf.

In the Hokage's office under the cover of night, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu frowned as they looked at the Third Hokage.

"The Third Hokage, given the rigid nature of the Hyuga clan, if we push him like this, he might actually hand over a corpse."

From the very beginning, their intention was to give the Hyuga clan a warning, to make it clear to them that Konoha is ruled by the Hokage, not by their powerful clan, and that the Warring States period is long gone.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, calmly exhaled a puff of smoke and said quietly, "These are turbulent times. The Hyuga clan's so-called noble dignity still makes them live in the Warring States period. If we're going to teach them a lesson, we need to wake them up. Only when they recognize reality will they know their true identity. After all, we still have to deal with the Uchiha clan next."

The Uchiha clan!

When this wealthy family member was in the office, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu frowned deeply. This one was much more troublesome than the Hyuga clan.

The warning to the Hyuga clan is, in essence, a political warning. They haven't done much in terms of profit. If the Hyuga clan were to cooperate with the Uchiha clan because of this, they would truly be on the opposite side of politics, and what they would face would not be a warning, but rather targeted attacks.

The elders of the Hyuga clan's main branch aren't fools, and neither are the major clans of Konoha. No one wants to be with the Uchiha; only those commoners who don't understand high-level power struggles would.

"The Uchiha clan is not easy to deal with."

Koharu Utatane was very clear about the Uchiha clan's background, so he became somewhat serious when the topic of the Uchiha clan came up.

"Sarutobi, the Uchiha clan far surpasses the Hyuga clan in both its foundation and the number of ninjas. In particular, the Uchiha elites who have awakened the Sharingan are capable of taking on two opponents at once. Be careful."

As comrades who have been together for so many years, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado have also dealt with the Uchiha clan for many years and are well aware of the terror of this powerful clan.

After hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi also slowly puffed on his pipe and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. "After the Hyuga clan in the village, the Uchiha clan is isolated and has no one to help. Recently, we received intelligence from the Land of Water that some radicals are preparing to harass the border. We should send the Uchiha elites then."

"The Uchiha clan needs to be dealt with slowly; this is not the Hyuga clan."

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's well-thought-out plan, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged a glance and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Since you have a plan, that's good. The Uchiha clan does need to proceed cautiously."

……

In the Hyuga clan compound, the branch family summoned all the Jonin from each branch family in the name of the clan meeting. This scene naturally did not escape the eyes of the main family, but the main family chose to ignore it.

In the eyes of the main family, how much trouble could the branch family, controlled by the Caged Bird Seal, possibly cause? At most, this time it would just be Hyuga Hizashi, the head of the branch family, making arrangements for his own affairs.

That night, dark clouds shrouded the moonlight, seemingly foreshadowing a major event.

In the dimly lit meeting room of the branch family, elite members of the branch family, all wearing headbands and with cataracts in their eyes, gathered together.

In the oppressive atmosphere, everyone who came to this meeting held the title of Jonin, although most of them were Special Jonin. But this level of strength was already quite impressive in Konoha.

The Byakugan Gentle Fist is renowned throughout the ninja world, but while this bloodline limit, which focuses on close-combat pressure point strikes, is powerful, it is only limited to that. Most of the elites in the Hyuga clan are Special Jonin, since how many bloodlines in the ninja world possess the almost all-around enhancement of the Sharingan?

Moreover, the Byakugan's most powerful ability in the ninja world is not Gentle Fist, but its reconnaissance ability; it is practically born for war.

"What! It was clearly a member of the clan who killed him, so why send Chief Hizashi?"

"Damn it, it's happening again! Why?!"

"Why must we, as members of the branch family, die for the main family?"

As Hyuga Hizashi calmly recounted some events, the crowd erupted in anger, with each member of the branch family expressing their pent-up frustration.

Looking at the crowd, four of them exchanged glances and then secretly assumed a defensive posture, as if they were ready to make a move if anything seemed amiss.

Hyuga Hizashi calmly looked at everyone and slowly took out a scroll from his pocket.

"The fate of the Caged Bird has plagued the Hyuga clan for over a hundred years. This scroll represents breaking free from that fate. It's up to you to choose."

At this point, Hyuga Hizashi slowly removed the headband from his forehead in front of everyone. When the ugly cursed seal was revealed, the Byakugan opened, and with a surge of chakra, black runes resembling tadpoles appeared around the cursed seal.

"What is this?! What is this?!"

At this moment, countless people stared in shock at the Caged Bird on Hyuga Hizashi's forehead, and then someone spoke up.

"This is a seal, a sealing technique to seal the caged bird, and also to break the caged bird's destiny. The main family has enslaved the branch family for so long, are you willing to live like this forever? Even if you are willing, what about your children?"

"We are not rebelling; we are simply fighting for freedom!"

"For freedom! The chance to break free from fate is right before you. If you agree, we will join forces now to seal the caged bird for you."

One by one, the Jonin who had already pledged allegiance to Hyuga Hizashi removed their headbands, and as their chakra deliberately fluctuated, traces of a seal appeared around the Caged Bird Seal.

The members of the divided family were all shocked. How could this be?! Had their destiny been broken just like that?

There aren't many people, after all, these are Jonin level, and Special Jonin are quite prestigious. Apart from the branch family elites who are outside, there are only fifteen people here.

Including his four trusted confidants, Hyuga Hizashi was only five people. The remaining ten branch family members showed a variety of expressions: some were excited, some were incredulous, and some were shocked, thinking it was a dream. These complex expressions conveyed the emotions that the branch family had suppressed for many years.

"Is this for real?!"

Even now, some people still can't believe it. Among them are those who once tried to defy their fate as caged birds, but all of them are now in a state of utter despair. Now, suddenly, they have a glimmer of hope. It all seems too unreal.

Looking at everyone, Hyuga Hizashi said solemnly, "The Hyuga clan doesn't have this ability, but you know Root, right? Lord Orochimaru joined Root a long time ago, and after reviewing countless documents from Root, this sealing technique was developed."

Roots?

Countless people were horrified when they heard about this department, but at this moment they were filled with gratitude, because this was what gave it credibility.

The most famous human experiment conducted by Root back then was the Wood Release Project. Only in such a place could they research and break the seal that would prevent the Caged Bird from breaking its fate.

Hyuga Hizashi nodded secretly. Just as Yoru-kun said, someone had to take the blame for all of this. Yoru-kun was Orochimaru's disciple, and Orochimaru was a member of Root, so it was natural to pin the blame on Root.

With Root taking the blame, the nature of the matter will change. After all, if Orochimaru directly intervenes, it would be tantamount to interfering in the affairs of a powerful family, which is a taboo.

However, if Root is backing them, and Root is the power in the hands of the Hokage, then this is completely the Hokage's line of influence interfering in the Hyuga clan's internal affairs. With such a powerful backer, the main family can only direct their resentment towards the Hokage's line of influence.

"Everyone, your families have been secretly sealed away these past few days, but they don't know it yet. Now, all the branch ninja and genin in the village have been captured without exception. As jonin, you should know the importance of keeping information secret, so you are the most crucial part and the last step."

After Hyuga Hizashi got Root's endorsement, they were filled with excitement. In their minds, this meant that the Konoha leadership had intervened in the Hyuga clan's affairs, and it was not that they wanted to rebel against the clan.

"Chief Hizashi, I do!"

Sure enough, someone stepped forward. Faced with the opportunity to break free from the caged bird's fate, they were filled with excitement. The first person to step forward excitedly showed his forehead.

With Hyuga Hizashi and his four trusted men keeping a watchful eye on things, they managed to remove the Caged Bird seal from everyone's foreheads without any major incident.

Under the cover of night, the Hyuga clan's years of peace and tranquility made the main family members forget to be vigilant, after all, no one expected that something would happen within the village.

Within the family compound, the elderly, the weak, women, and children were awakened one by one, and they all walked out in a daze. They did not know what had happened, but it must have been something big.

Some toddlers and children fell asleep under the gentle touch of a fist, all of this happening quietly.

Dark clouds shrouded the moonlight. Hyuga Hizashi, who had never been so tense even when facing life and death on the battlefield, had his palms sweating profusely and his entire back soaked with cold sweat.

Just then, a sound came from behind, and Hyuga Hizashi turned around nervously.

"Who is it!"

Behind the gate appeared Hyuga Hiashi's figure. Before Hyuga Hizashi could react, two Jonin from the Hyuga branch family quickly appeared on the left and right sides, forming an encirclement.

"Chieftain!"

Some people were filled with shock and fear when they saw Hyuga Hiashi, but Hyuga Hiashi looked at Hyuga Hizashi calmly and said, "I still hope you call me big brother."

"Don't be so reckless in the future. Some people have the desire to rebel against their fate, while others have become accustomed to being enslaved. Those people are fine; they just fainted."

A calm voice echoed in the night. Hiashi Hyuga walked slowly towards Hizashi Hyuga as if nothing had happened. Just as the two brothers passed each other, Hiashi said indifferently, "After leaving the Hyuga clan's territory, go straight to where you're going. Don't linger. Don't stop even if the village discovers you. And take care!"

After passing each other, Hyuga Hiashi slowly disappeared into the direction of the solemn main gate of the Hyuga clan under the night sky, while Hyuga Hizashi gazed at his older brother's back with mixed feelings.

"Brother, please take care of yourself in the future."

Under the cover of night, Hyuga Hizashi hurriedly led the rest of the family out of the clan's territory. Fortunately, thanks to the Hyuga clan's management system, the branch family was located on the outskirts, while the main family enjoyed the protection of the branch family without any worries.

Under the cover of night, Hiashi Hyuga, hiding behind the tall walls of the main clan compound, calmly gazed at the walls. With the veins bulging in his eyes, he watched his younger brother leave and disappear into the clan's territory before he sighed softly and got up.

"Hizashi, this time it's my turn to protect you. Take care."

After getting up, Hiashi Hyuga calmly returned to the main family's house, while several branch ninjas lay unconscious on the lawn in the main family's courtyard.

Some people will rebel when there is hope, but others have already accepted this habit of enslavement and have become subservient to the main family.

The dark clouds in the sky slowly dispersed, revealing the bright moonlight that shone on the earth. Under the peaceful night sky of the Hyuga clan's territory, no one noticed that the branch family was now deserted, and even the breathing of ordinary people had disappeared.

nightfall.

The whereabouts of the hundreds of members of the Hyuga branch family, including ninjas, women, and children, were all panicked and ran towards the address of the Seventh Division of the Police Department.

Fortunately, thanks to the rigid traditions of the Hyuga clan, they happened to be located on the outskirts of the village. Although they weren't driven into the forest like the Uchiha clan, this is why they didn't attract attention at first.

Such a large-scale operation immediately shocked the police patrol team on nighttime, as well as the ninjas on duty in the village and some ANBU, who all stared in astonishment at the scene unfolding in the middle of the night.

"Halt! What do you Hyuga clan want?!"

A series of dark figures flashed before the massive group, including patrol teams from the police department, members of the ANBU, and Konoha squads on duty. They appeared in front of the group, shouting as they did so, but they were filled with shock.

Good heavens! Not only were there a huge group of old people, women, and children, all seemingly with their families, but there were also no fewer than a hundred ninjas, each staring with a pair of white eyes.

Everyone who witnessed this scene was shocked. Something terrible had happened! Although they were not yet clear on the details, everyone knew that Konoha had never seen such a large-scale operation before.

Faced with the discovery and obstruction from all sides, Hyuga Hizashi, as the head of the branch family, stepped forward and angrily shouted, "Get out of the way! The Hyuga branch family, under orders from Root, has been released from the Caged Bird Seal and is now heading to the Police Department to join Lord Orochimaru of Root. Who dares to stop us?!"

"Everyone, keep moving forward without stopping. Anyone who dares to obstruct us is committing treason. We are going to join Root! To join Lord Orochimaru!"

At this point, let alone the patrol team, even if the Hokage came, he wouldn't be able to stop them.

Faced with the rampaging Hyuga branch family, everyone panicked, especially the crazed look in their eyes.

"Quickly! Go and report to the Hokage!"

"Quickly! Go report to the head of the police department."

The police patrol teams, the secret service, and the village squads all gasped in alarm, realizing that this was no longer something they could handle and they had to report it.

What a big deal!

Konoha was instantly alarmed. Under the cover of night, dark shadows, like fleas, leaped around the surrounding houses, waking countless people who stared in shock at the migrating army.

When this migrating army announced their intention to join Root and Orochimaru, everyone was stunned. No one dared to stop them. Nobody knew what was going on, and they could only watch helplessly as it all unfolded.

Fortunately, not long after the Nine-Tails' attack, Konoha began to pay attention to contingency plans for how civilians, women, and children should take shelter in emergency situations.

After all, ninjas react quickly enough, but civilians don't. The Nine-Tails suffered such heavy losses because Konoha had never experienced such turmoil within the village.

As a result, the Hyuga branch family actually used it for tonight's grand relocation, which was something no one expected. Even Hyuga Hizashi was later thankful that the village had strictly ordered everyone to learn how to prepare for contingencies, and this was enforced, including the wealthy families.

(End of this chapter)